When do the clocks change?
Clocks go back
The next UK clock change is Sunday 25 October 2026. In spring the clocks go forward one hour (you lose an hour); in autumn they go back one hour (you gain an hour).
| Year | Clocks go forward (BST begins, 01:00 GMT) | Clocks go back (BST ends, 02:00 BST) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 29 March 2026 | Sunday 25 October 2026 next |
| 2027 | Sunday 28 March 2027 | Sunday 31 October 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday 26 March 2028 | Sunday 29 October 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday 25 March 2029 | Sunday 28 October 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday 31 March 2030 | Sunday 27 October 2030 |
| 2031 | Sunday 30 March 2031 | Sunday 26 October 2031 |
All times shown are the moment of change. Clocks go forward at 01:00 GMT (so 01:00 becomes 02:00) and back at 02:00 BST (so 02:00 becomes 01:00).
Add the clock changes to your calendar
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Spring forward, fall back
What happens when the clocks go forward?
Direct answer. On the last Sunday of March at 01:00, UK clocks jump straight to 02:00. The day is one hour shorter (23 hours) and you lose an hour of sleep — but evenings get an hour more daylight.
This is the start of British Summer Time. The next spring change is on Sunday 28 March 2027. Most phones, computers and smart devices update automatically; clocks on ovens, cars and analogue watches usually need changing by hand.
Key fact: Spring change: 01:00 GMT → 02:00 BST on the last Sunday of March. The day is 23 hours long.
What happens when the clocks go back?
Direct answer. On the last Sunday of October at 02:00, UK clocks fall back to 01:00. The day is one hour longer (25 hours) and you gain an hour — but it gets dark earlier in the evening.
This ends British Summer Time and returns the UK to Greenwich Mean Time. The next autumn change is on Sunday 25 October 2026.
Key fact: Autumn change: 02:00 BST → 01:00 GMT on the last Sunday of October. The day is 25 hours long.
Frequently asked questions
When do the clocks go forward in 2026?
In 2026 the clocks go forward one hour at 01:00 GMT on Sunday 29 March 2026, the last Sunday of March. This starts British Summer Time.
When do the clocks go back in 2026?
In 2026 the clocks go back one hour at 02:00 BST on Sunday 25 October 2026, the last Sunday of October. This ends British Summer Time and returns the UK to GMT.
Do the clocks change at the same time everywhere in the UK?
Yes. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all change together at the same instant — 01:00 GMT in spring and 02:00 BST in autumn — because the change is defined by a single UK-wide law.
Why do the clocks change at 1am and not midnight?
1am was chosen to cause the least disruption: very few people are working or travelling, it keeps the change within a single calendar day, and it avoids shifting the clock across midnight where it could cause confusion about which day it is.
Are future clock-change dates already fixed?
Yes. UK law (the Summer Time Order 2002) defines British Summer Time as beginning on the last Sunday of March and ending on the last Sunday of October. Because the rule is fixed, every future date can be calculated exactly — the table above is accurate to 2031 and beyond.
Reviewed and accurate as of Tuesday 16 June 2026. Future clock-change dates are fixed in UK law (the Summer Time Order 2002), so they can be calculated years ahead.